President Donald Trump has accused the US media of “virtual treason” for reporting that American intelligence indicates Iran retains substantial missile capabilities. In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump wrote: “When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, Militarily, against us, it’s virtual TREASON in that it is such a false, and even preposterous, statement.”
Trump’s outburst follows a report by The New York Times stating that Iran has restored operational access to 30 of its 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has effectively blocked the vital oil waterway during the ongoing conflict.
UK Joins Defensive Mission
The United Kingdom has announced it will send drones, jets, and a warship to support a multinational defensive mission aimed at securing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Defence Minister John Healey stated on Tuesday: “With our allies, this multinational mission will be defensive, independent and credible.”
Iran Threatens Uranium Enrichment
Iran has threatened to begin enriching weapons-grade uranium if President Trump reopens the conflict, warning that the ceasefire agreement is on “life support” after the US president dismissed Tehran’s latest peace proposal. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary national security and foreign policy commission, said on Tuesday that Tehran could enrich uranium up to 90 per cent purity if the country is attacked again.
In his social media post, Trump further claimed: “Iran had 159 ships in their Navy — Every single ship is now resting at the bottom of the sea. They have no Navy, their Air Force is gone, all Technology is gone, their ‘leaders’ are no longer with us, and the Country is an Economic Disaster.”
Diplomatic Developments
Trump is set to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday for a “long talk” with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding Iran. However, Trump indicated he does not expect to require China’s assistance to end the war with Iran. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the US-Israel war on Iran as a conflict between “proud people” and “professional liars who fabricated justifications for atrocity.”
Oil prices fell on Wednesday after rising in three consecutive sessions. Brent crude futures lost 82 cents, or 0.76 per cent, to trade at $106.95 a barrel.
